This course provides an exciting interface between craft, design and art. You'll get to explore ideas through a range of taught craft practice and design processes. There's a strong emphasis on experimentation with materials and contemporary approaches to making innovative objects. And you'll get to experience both studio making and industrial processes. Our creative team of professional makers and technicians will support you throughout. You'll gain practical knowledge and a repertoire of skills, developing your understanding of the designer's essential toolkit as well as contemporary techniques and processes. Workshops cover Fine Metal Wood Plastics and Resin Ceramics Technical Hub-CAD and Laser Cutting Digital Imaging Skills (to work software packages such as Photoshop, Illustrator and 3D software) You'll be taught in well resourced studios, providing a stimulating working environment for the exploration and development of design ideas. You'll work from large well-equipped workshops in wood, metal, plastic and ceramics, together with digital imaging and IT suites. We have strong links with manufacturing companies in the West Midlands who support various material specific projects. Our contacts can give you lots of opportunities to gain an insight into the commercial environment. You'll also work on live briefs to gain professional experience, working closely with creative design directors on current projects. You'll learn through practical demonstrations within a workshop and studio environment. You'll attend lectures, seminars, group activities and museum/contemporary design exhibition visits. And you'll get have chance to promote your work at various exhibitions. You'll work with a range of materials including wood, metal, plastic and ceramics in workshop and machine shop environments. Visits include Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, RBSA Gallery, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Craft Centre, Manchester Art City Gallery and 'Collect' Saatchi Gallery, London. Our European study trip destinations have included Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Barcelona.

All three Award areas provide students with the professional building blocks a designer/maker requires to succeed in the world of work and successfully gain employment within a very competitive designer/maker arena. In parallel to the creative output, attention is paid to the professional and vocational nature of the course within all of the 3D Design Award areas encompassing, 3D Design: Crafts Award, 3D Design: Ceramic Award and 3D Design: Contemporary Jewellery and Fashion Accessories we provide opportunities for students to engage in projects with external clients, professional bodies and international design teams.